We take a weekly look at mobile and tech stories from around the world. Headlines include… Bluesky Surges to 15 Million Users Amid X Dissatisfaction Post-Election, Meta to Offer ‘Less Personalized Ads’ in Europe Amid EU Regulations, FTC To Investigate Microsoft Over Cloud Business Practices and more… Alternatively listen On MEF Radio.
Bluesky Surges to 15 Million Users Amid X Dissatisfaction Post-Election
BskyB
Bluesky has gained over 1 million new users since the U.S. election, driven by dissatisfaction with misinformation and offensive content on X (formerly Twitter). The influx is largely from North America and the UK, where the newspaper The Guardian will no longer post on X. Bluesky, now at nearly 15 million users, offers a refuge for those seeking a more moderated social media experience, attracting many from Twitter’s more liberal user base. The platform, originally a Twitter project, became independent in 2022 and is led by CEO Jay Graber.
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Meta to Offer ‘Less Personalized Ads’ in Europe Amid EU Regulations
About FB
Meta Platforms will soon offer European users of Instagram and Facebook the option for “less personalized ads” in response to EU regulatory demands.
These ads will be based on current content viewed rather than user activity history, with targeting by age, gender, and location.
Meta has warned this move could hurt its revenue in Europe, which accounts for 23% of its total, as personalized ads are central to its business model.
The company also expressed concern that reduced ad efficiency could negatively impact small businesses in the region.
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FTC To Investigate Microsoft Over Cloud Business Practices
FT
The FTC plans to investigate Microsoft for allegedly anti-competitive practices in its Azure cloud business, including punitive licensing terms and high exit fees to prevent customers from switching to rivals. The Financial Times reported the story, citing people with direct knowledge of the matter.
This follows global scrutiny over similar issues, with investigations by UK and EU regulators. The probe marks another Big Tech crackdown under FTC Chair Lina Khan, though her tenure ends soon.
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Ofcom Warns AI Chatbot Platforms: Follow Online Safety Act or Face Major Fines
Ofcom
Communications regulator Ofcom has warned tech firms that user-generated chatbots mimicking real or fictional people fall under the UK’s Online Safety Act.
This follows reports of distressing bots on Character.AI, including ones imitating Brianna Ghey and Molly Russell.
Platforms enabling such content must comply with the act, which mandates protections against harmful material, with fines up to £18m or 10% of global turnover for breaches.
The Molly Rose Foundation called for more clarity on the legality of AI-generated content.
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Telecom Operations Market to Reach $23.43B by 2032, Driven by 5G and Automation
OpenPR
The Telecom Operations Management Market is expected to reach USD 23.43 billion by 2032, growing at a rate of 8.95% annually from 2024 to 2032, according to a Market Research Future study condensed by Open PR.
The growth is driven by the rising demand for automation, digitalization, and cloud-based solutions in telecom operations.
Key areas include network management, billing, revenue assurance, workforce management, and customer relationship management, according to the report.
The expansion of fifth-generation networks, the integration of the Internet of Things, and the growth of streaming services are further boosting market demand, as telecom companies aim to improve service delivery, reduce costs, and meet increasing customer expectations.
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Elon Musk’s Trump Backing Could Revive X’s Struggling Ad Business, FT
FT
Elon Musk’s backing of Donald Trump is expected to help revive X’s struggling business, with some brands considering a return to the platform to curry favor with the incoming administration.
Media executives told the Financial Times that brands may shift advertising back to X, given Musk’s growing influence within the second Trump term.
X’s revenues have dropped since Musk’s $44bn acquisition, and its valuation is now believed to be under $10bn.
While many companies, including Disney and Apple, paused advertising over concerns about reduced content moderation, some marketers see Musk’s platform as a way to gain political leverage, especially for securing government contracts.
However, others remain hesitant, with some calling X “a mess” and questioning the risks of re-engaging.
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US Government Exposes China-linked Hackers Targeting Telecoms and Political Figures
FBI
The US government has identified a “broad and significant” cyber espionage campaign targeting commercial telecommunications infrastructure, allegedly conducted by China-linked hackers.
A joint statement from the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) officially confirmed the hackers breached multiple telecom companies, stealing customer call records and compromising private communications, including those of individuals involved in government and political activities.
The agencies noted that some data related to US law enforcement requests had also been copied.
While specific companies were not named, prior reports linked the group, known as Salt Typhoon, to attacks on networks operated by AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen.
The breaches reportedly targeted phones belonging to presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris ahead of the US election.
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Juniper Research Reveals 2025’s Critical Telecoms Trends
Juniper Research
The telecommunications industry is set for significant changes in 2025, driven by emerging technologies and market shifts, according to Juniper Research.
Artificially Inflated Traffic (AIT) will decline as firewalls improve fraud prevention, while travel Embedded SIM cards (eSIMs) will challenge traditional roaming services, a Juniper’s study says.
Direct-to-Cell technology will launch commercially, and Wi-Fi 7 devices will offer alternatives to cellular technologies.
The Mobile Virtual Network Operator-in-a-Box (MVNO-in-a-Box) model is expected to disrupt connectivity markets, and Apple’s adoption of Rich Communication Services (RCS) will bring the technology into the mainstream.
As the standardization of 6G begins, lessons from 5G will inform the process.
Operators will focus on network efficiency over capacity, and the development of quantum-resistant networks will gain momentum.
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Zuckerberg Teams Up with T-Pain for Surprising Music Release
Spotify
And finally, Mark Zuckerberg has swapped coding for crooning, releasing a cover of Lil Jon’s “Get Low” with T-Pain.
The song, which holds sentimental value for him and his wife, Priscilla Chan, marks his latest reinvention, following his ventures into wakeboarding and martial arts.
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